William J. Jones, M. D., Washington Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mike Miller ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ William J. Jones, M. D. At Franklinton, judicial center of Washington Parish, Doctor Jones has secure standing as a successful and popular physician and surgeon, and this is the more interesting to note by reason of the fact that he was born and reared in this attractive little Louisiana city, his birth having here occurred June 27, 1868, and he having here effectively upheld the civic and social prestige of his honored father, the late William H. Jones, who was a lifelong resident of Washington Parish. William H. Jones was born on the old family homestead near Franklinton, Washington Parish, in the year 1814, and he was a representative merchant at Franklinton for a long period prior to his death, which here occurred in 1888. He continued farm operations near the county seat until 1870, when he engaged in the general merchandise business at Franklinton, his association with this enterprise continuing during the remainder of his life. Mr. Jones was a loyal advocate of the principles of the democratic party, and while he had no special ambition for public office, he gave four years of effective service as chief deputy sheriff of Washington Parish, under the regime of Sheriff Champ Bailey. Mr. Jones served as a soldier of the Confederacy during the entire period of the Civil war, and was a veteran member of the United Confederate Veterans at the time of his death. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mrs. Jones, whose maiden name was Emily Slocum, was born near Franklinton in the year 1820, and her death occurred in 1884. Margaret Ellen, eldest of the children, became the wife of Andrew P. Magee, farmer and millwright, and both were residents of Franklinton at the time of their death, she having here passed away in the year 1900; David H., was a successful young agriculturist and stockgrower near Franklinton, and was but thirty-six years of age at the time of his death; Emma is the wile of Jacob E. Wood, and they reside in the City of New Orleans, Mr. Wood being identified with the lumber business; Wiley E. is engaged in the mercantile business at Franklinton; Dr. William J., of this review, is the youngest of the children. After profiting by the advantages of the public schools of Franklinton Doctor Jones entered Hiawatha College, at Madisonville, and in this institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1889 and with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Thereafter he had for some time the management of his father's store and business, and finally, in consonance with a cherished ambition, he entered the medical department of Tulane University. He was graduated in 1900, and since thus receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine he has been established in the general practice of his profession at Franklinton, his clientage being one of distinctly representative order. His offices are established in the Fern Hotel Building, and his home, one of the most attractive in the City of Franklinton, is situated on Main Street. Doctor Jones has been known for his pronounced civic loyalty and progressiveness, is a stalwart supporter of the cause of the democratic party, and he gave twelve years of effective service as a member of the municipal council of his native town. He was for twelve years a steward in the local Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he then resigned the position. He is an influential member of the Washington Parish Medical Society, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Doctor Jones was the Organizer of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Franklinton in 1886, became its first president, and retained this executive office seven years. In January, 1893, was solemnized the marriage of Doctor Jones and Miss Mary P. Gallaher, of Glenlock, Tennessee. Mrs. Jones was a daughter of Albert H. and Frances (McCroskey) Gallaher, her father having been a salesman for the International Harvester Company at the time of his death, which occurred at London, Tennessee, where his widow still resides. Mrs. Jones was reared and educated in Tennessee, where she was graduated from the McMinville Female Institute, and her gracious personality gained to her a host of friends, so that she was deeply mourned when she was summoned to the life eternal, her death having occurred May 10, 1917. In conclusion is entered brief record concerning the children of Doctor Jones: Walter G., who is now engaged in the life insurance business at Bogalusa, Washington Parish, served as a pharmacist mate in the naval hospital at Norfolk, Virginia, in the World war period, and his service covered a period of nineteen months. Willie May is the wife of Major Frederick C. Frey, who gained the rank of major while serving with the American Expeditionary Forces in France in the world war, he being now an instructor in the department of economics in the University of Louisiana, at Baton Rouge. Robert D., who is, in 1924, a student in the law department of the University of Louisiana, was in the aviation service of the United States Army in the World war, and in his overseas service was stationed in Ireland during a period of one year. Miss Joyce Jones remains at the paternal home and is a popular teacher in the State High School at Franklinton. Frank is conducting a clothes pressing business at Franklinton. William J., Jr., is a student in the Franklinton High School. A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 316, by Henry E. Chambers. Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.